Write to me
basepurpose.com@gmail.com. Say which version you are on, which operating system, and what you expected to happen. If something went wrong, say what you did just before. A screenshot helps more than a description of one.
The version is at the top of Settings, and Settings also shows what changed in the version you are running.
Where your text is
Everything scratchcat holds is a plain file on your own disk. The pad is pad.md,
history is one Markdown file per entry beside it, and your dictionary is
dictionary.txt. Open the window, use the menu in the header, and choose
Open the data folder. You can copy that folder anywhere, back it up with anything, or
read it with any editor.
Windows says it protected your PC
The direct download for Windows is not code signed yet, so the first time you run the installer Windows shows a blue screen saying it protected your PC. Click More info, then Run anyway. This is a note about a certificate, not about the program. The Microsoft Store build, when it is live, does not show it.
The shortcut does nothing
Another app is holding it. Open Settings and the shortcut row says so. Change it there, or close the other app; scratchcat picks the shortcut up the moment it is free.
Getting a key
Dictation and repair on your device need no key, and nothing is sent anywhere. A key is only for using a cloud provider instead: scratchcat then talks to that provider with your own account, and you pay the provider for what you use, usually a few cents for a long dictation or a repair. You only need a key for the provider you choose, not all three.
An API key is a long password that lets an app use your account. Getting one takes a few minutes:
- Create an account with the provider, or sign in to the one you have.
- Add a little credit or a payment method. Keys do nothing until the account can pay.
- Create a key and copy it. Most providers show it only once, so paste it straight away.
- In scratchcat, open Settings, go to Accounts, paste it beside the provider and press Save.
- OpenAIKeys at platform.openai.com/api-keys, credit under Billing on the same site. OpenAI is the one provider that can do both dictation and repair.
- AnthropicKeys at platform.claude.com/settings/keys, credit under Billing on the same site. For repair.
- xAIKeys at console.x.ai, credit under Billing there. For repair.
The key is stored in your system's own credential store and used for nothing but that provider. Remove it in Settings whenever you like, and delete it at the provider to stop it working anywhere.
Refunds and licences
Bought through a store, refunds are the store's, and its own page is the place to ask. Bought direct, write to the address above with the email you bought with. The details are in the terms.